Newscast

Today, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned the Chancellor she’s risking being stuck in ‘Groundhog Day’ when it comes to her upcoming Autumn budget.

Adam is joined by Faisal, who’s been speaking to Chancellor Reeves at the IMF summit in Washington DC, and Helen Miller, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, who have published their Green Budget document today. They discuss why Rachel Reeves should fear being stuck in an economic doomloop, the taxes that could rise in November’s budget, and what the chancellor has said to Faisal about ‘targeted action’ on inflation and the cost of living.

And, BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardener has been at a lock-in listening to the MI5 boss Sir Ken McCallum giving his annual speech on threats to the UK. Adam and Frank discuss what Sir Ken said about the UK’s relationship with China, following this week’s collapsed China spy case.

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Today, the government has  published witness statements related to a collapsed case against two people accused of spying for China. They deny all of the allegations against them.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister was questioned by Kemi Badenoch, who accused the government of “a cover-up”. Starmer pointed to the fact the Conservatives were in power during the period concerning the case. Adam and Chris discuss what’s in the statement, and what this means for the Prime Minister.

Plus, The Climate Change Committee has sent a letter to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State saying the UK should have contingency plans in case the UK sees 2C of global warming by 2050. Adam speaks to Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee.

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New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, serious cyber attacks are on the rise and the government is telling businesses to make pen and paper plans to help them prepare. Adam is joined by BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy and Emily Taylor, CEO of Oxford Information Labs and co-founder of the Global Signal Exchange, to discuss why more serious attacks are on the rise and what else can be done.

Plus, Chris and Adam are reunited to talk about the Prime Minister's statement to the House of Commons about the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as well as the controversial collapse of the case against two men accused of spying for China.

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Today, President Trump has said that “war is over” as the final twenty living Israeli hostages and almost 2000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

The president flew to Israel and then Egypt to discuss the next stages of his plan for peace with world leaders at a Gaza summit.

What’s being discussed and are things really ‘over’? Adam is joined in the studio by the BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner and down the line with the BBC’s chief presenter in Washington Caitríona Perry.

Plus, Adam speaks to the deputy First Minister of Scotland Kate Forbes from SNP conference about her reflections on the ceasefire deal, and the party’s plan to overhaul the NHS in Scotland.

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Today, we hear more detail about the hostage release, which a Hamas official says will take place on Monday morning, and we talk through what to expect from an international peace summit in Egypt led by US President Donald Trump and Egypt.

Over 20 world leaders, including Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, are expected to be in attendance at Sharm El-Sheikh.

A spokesperson for Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the summit is intended to "end the war in the Gaza Strip, strengthen peace and stability efforts in the Middle East, and open a new page in regional security and stability."

Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss how big a role the UK played in the peace process.

Plus, we discuss the ongoing row over the collapse of the China spy case and whether the UK’s national security advisor Jonathan Powell has questions to answer over what happened.

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Today, we look at the progress of the Trump peace plan for Israel and Gaza as Hamas recalls 7,000 fighters to reassert control over Gaza amid fears of renewed internal violence.

The Hamas mobilisation had been widely anticipated amid growing uncertainty about who will govern Gaza once the war ends.

The ceasefire appears to have held but Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are yet to be released.

Laura and Paddy speak with international editor Jeremy Bowen about the latest.

Plus, Laura explains how the contest to become deputy leader of the Labour party could be seen as a verdict on Keir Starmer.

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New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, the Israeli military says the ceasefire in Gaza is now in effect.

Troops have positioned themselves along the lines agreed under the Trump plan, the IDF says - but will continue to "remove any immediate threat". It comes after the Israeli government approved a deal with Hamas which will also see the release of hostages.

Hamas now has 72 hours to release all Israeli hostages, while Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian detainees. Adam is joined by Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent.

And Adam, Chris and Dharshini are joined by Sarah Montague, presenter of the World At One, to round up the political week.

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New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have "signed off on the first phase" of the 20-point peace plan for Israel and Gaza he unveiled last week.

Adam is joined by Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, who has been stood in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square where celebrations have been taking place. They discuss the substance of the ceasefire agreement, as well as what’s not yet clear.

Plus Sumi Somaskanda, Chief Presenter in Washington, and Jane Corbin, Panorama presenter and Middle East expert, unpack how Donald Trump’s so-called ‘peace plan’ has gained momentum.

And Adam speaks to Plaid Cymru leader Rhun Ap Iorwerth ahead of his party’s political conference this weekend.

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New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, Kemi Badenoch gave a speech at the Conservative party conference. Adam, Chris, and Henry Zeffman were listening and give their immediate reaction.

She announced a flurry of new policies, including abolishing stamp duty and introducing a fiscal “golden rule”.

Did she manage to silence her critics? And is her job as party leader, at least for now, safe?

She also attacked Labour for the collapse a case of two men accused of spying for China, which they deny. But is she right to accuse the government of “sucking up to Beijing?”

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New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, how much political danger are the Conservative party in?

Adam and Chris are at Conservative party conference in Manchester where some comments from shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick have dominated the headlines.

In a recording reportedly made during a dinner and published by the Guardian, Jenrick said he had not seen "another white face" in the hour-and-a-half he spent in the Handsworth area of Birmingham filming a video about litter. Jenrick has defended the comments. Adam and Chris discuss this and the general state of the Conservative party.

Adam is also joined by James Cleverly the shadow housing secretary.

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New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd